On behalf of The Legal 500, I am delighted to present this edition of the GC Powerlist: Peru 2024. Leading the research for this powerlist has been an honour, as the Peruvian edition is one of the highlights of the GC Powerlist portfolio. I had the incredible opportunity to engage with the most exceptional in-house lawyers in Peru, immersing myself in their remarkable stories and tapping into their vast experience and knowledge. This publication serves as a tribute to the remarkable contributions made by these outstanding professionals to the business landscape, not only in Peru but also internationally. It stands as a testament to their unrivalled expertise, outstanding leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

This year’s edition shines a spotlight not only on the most distinguished in-house lawyers in Peru but also on the rising stars who will one day lead the best in-house legal departments in the country. The publication focuses on the exceptional accomplishments and innovative approaches adopted by these individuals as they navigate the intricacies of the Peruvian legal landscape.

Within the pages of this publication, you will discover in-depth profiles and exclusive interviews with the most influential and highly regarded general counsel from a wide array of industries. These individuals have consistently showcased their ability to shape legal strategies, mitigate risks, and provide invaluable strategic guidance to their respective organisations. Their achievements serve as a source of inspiration to the legal community, highlighting the profound influence that in-house lawyers can wield in shaping their organisations’ business strategies and achieving remarkable success.

The GC Powerlist: Peru 2024 uncovers the importance of building resilience through crises to drive the growth of companies. Despite the multitude of challenges faced, business operations have persevered thanks to the extraordinary efforts of in-house counsel who tirelessly navigated new regulations and guidelines, ensuring uninterrupted business continuity during unforeseen challenges. Team effort and communication become crucial in these situations, as mentioned by Milagros Mago Franco, senior legal manager, general counsel South Andean countries at PepsiCo: ‘In navigating legal challenges during periods of instability, strategic partnerships are invaluable. I recently learned the criticality of having the right people in place and cultivating a robust, trustworthy team. This involves proactive communication and active listening to understand the perspectives not only of my legal team but also external counsel and different business partners. Only through open communication can we truly align the legal strategy with the broader business strategy. It is essential to ask the right questions and to be empathetic. This requires a delicate balance. To act as a trusted advisor, providing thorough legal analysis while remaining flexible enough to support the achievement of business goals.’

The publication also emphasises the critical importance of embracing technology for the benefit of companies. The ongoing acceleration of digital transformation has demonstrated the invaluable role of technology in ensuring business continuity; however, the lack of appropriate regulations and guidelines could lead to ethical problems and constraints. As Carlos Efraín Lee Díaz, legal director at Shougang Hierro Peru, told us: ‘While machines can provide solutions to many problems, regardless of their nature, they will never be able to do so by prioritising professional ethics. The best way to stay updated is through constant training and, above all, by discussing and analysing it as a team.’

There are many other relevant topics and perspectives on diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and trends in the country, exclusively discussed in this publication. I invite you to explore the profiles of the exceptional individuals within these pages. Through their experiences and insights, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape in Peru and the invaluable role played by the most successful in-house lawyers in the country.

On behalf of The Legal 500, I would like to express our gratitude to all the in-house lawyers featured in this publication for their valuable contributions and for sharing their journeys with us. I am delighted to present to you this distinguished two-fold list of Peru’s future generation of brilliant general counsel and the current, most exceptional and celebrated in-house lawyers.

Sara Maggi – Deputy Editor Legal 500 GC Powerlist Series 

Once more, Muñiz, Olaya, Meléndez, Castro, Ono & Herrera sponsors the publishing of the GC Powerlist Peru. We would like to congratulate all the legal managers who have been considered in this occasion.

It is a commonplace to say that the legal profession in Peru faces great challenges and that our legal system will be experiencing important changes. It is even more repetitive to insist that, in this scenario, the role of the legal management of each of the local companies will be of the essence. Since 2026, we will return to bicameralism. After over 30 years, we will once again have a chamber of senators and a chamber of deputies. It was necessary to modify several articles of the 1993 Constitution to adapt them to the new reality. This will mean we will have to get used to a different legislative dynamic.

The Executive Branch has recently requested legislative powers from Congress to promote “economic growth and development”. Its intention is to legislate on strengthening, simplification and regulatory quality regarding public, private and public-private investment. This will not be an easy task. Even though inflation is low and our fiscal accounts, unlike those of several countries in the region, are in order, political instability has led one of the three main credit rating agencies to lower our investment grade.

As usual, at the beginning of each year, our firm prepares a document summarizing the challenges ahead of us in the next twelve months (Trends). For example, this year, regarding labor, we indicated that we would continue with the presentation and, eventually, the discussion in Congress of labor bills that do not guarantee formal jobs. A few weeks ago, a news media reported that up to 20 initiatives were at an advanced stage of debate and could be approved this year. Different analysts have pointed out that none of those initiatives will create jobs and that they will affect companies, in one way or another.

Indecopi, a model institution in our public administration, which is currently going through some administrative difficulties, should not go unmentioned. I am sure that the new authorities will be able to guarantee that this entity keeps playing its essential role in different areas (unfair competition, consumer protection, elimination of bureaucratic barriers, among others).

In 2022, I referred to the role of technology during the toughest period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we are already used to hearing and reading about the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI). Law is not immune to this phenomenon. Our firm is ready to face such a changing scenario, as it was in a time as hard as the pandemic. The legal departments of companies are not strangers to this new scenario either.

It is our obligation to be alert to the new regulations that could be approved and to communicate our clients those aspects that could affect them. The legal managers of the companies take on a first-line role to warn the general management and the board of directors about potential situations.

Our firm, which is the largest in the Peruvian legal market, is soon to celebrate its 45th anniversary. Last March, the Columnas Magazine, one of our most emblematic legal products, celebrated 30 years of uninterrupted publication, having published 215 numbers. Our business model is unique in our country and we have offices in 14 cities. We are where our clients need us.

Congratulations to all the nominees of this new edition of the GC Powerlist Peru.